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JournalJournal: Intro The past seems to be a window to the present. Those who forget are doomed to repeat, so goes the old dictum. In the conflicts of nations, emotional myths take hold that keep people locked in a mental state of fear and anxiety against their old enemies. Some take advantage of this condition for their own political gain. A personal goal of mine has been to find resolution from the conflict that affected my life in Viet Nam (1968-69). From that conflict I have seen the damage to the souls of individuals and the soul of our nation. One step in finding some personal understanding and peace within has come from small bits of information here and there. The words of war keep us thinking and feeling as though we are still at war. Change the words and the emotions change. Spelling Viet Nam (Same-Same but Different) As Dr. Ed Tick points out in his book, War and the Soul, Healing Our Nation's Veterans from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (Quest Books, 2005), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is also an identity problem. My personal goal is to constantly do better in life and encourage others as they seek ways to help themselves and each other. Sadly, now we have a new generation of veterans and their families to help recover from their wounds. Over the years I've learned something about the spelling of Viet Nam. The country Viet Nam (or Nam Viet) has been spelled as two words since 200 BC. From what I was told by noted documentary photographer, Philip Jones Griffiths, the name was changed to one word during the time when reporters filed stories by cable to the New York Times. Cable charges were by the word, so it made economical sense to condense words like Dien Bien Phu, Ha Noi, Da Nang, and other Vietnamese terms. As a result, Viet Nam became "Vietnam." My "crusade," as one photo magazine editor called it, is to encourage westerners to spell Viet Nam the correct way, as two words. If this be a "crusade," the reason is two-fold: First, from a linguistic perspective, it's the correct spelling and the right thing to do. Second, a return to the traditional spelling (Viet Nam) will have a positive effect on the emotional and thought process for most Americans. Depending on your personal experience, when many Americans see the word "Vietnam," I believe there is a strong subconscious connection to the angry emotions of the war and social chaos that took place in America in the 1960s and 70s. By creating a new process of thinking, people will begin to come to understand Viet Nam is a country, not a war. It follows new emotions would develop to accommodate the new understanding. It is not my intent to forget the past. What happened to all of us during that period of time, whether you were in Viet Nam or not, should never be forgotten. My hope is for Americans, especially veterans of the war, to find peace in their remaining life, for their families to understand us and our situation better, and for America to see what happens when we make war against people for the wrong reasons, as if there's a good reason other than defending our home. Recently I've made contact with several agencies asking how to change the spelling of Viet Nam. It seems style manuals follow dictionaries, and dictionaries report the conventional usage at the time of publication. Dictionaries are concerned about linguistics, not politics. It appears the power to change might come from the US Board of Geographic Names, from which I'm gathering more information, and The National Geographic Society, Research and Correspondence Division. You might want to add your voice, or suggest new ideas. Meanings of some Vietnamese names: Viet Nam means, "people" (Viet), "of the South" (Nam). This was to differentiate them from the people of the north, the Chinese. Sai Gon refers to "the white puffy flower trees on the island"...I believe. Ha Noi was coined in 1831, meaning "river" (Ha), and "inside" Noi, or, "the land inside the rivers," since the city lies between the Red and Day Rivers. My Wish Having met a lot of American vets over the years, I only can wish each of you and your families could find peace if the war has left you with pain and anger. I can only offer what I've experienced. Perhaps the photos and stories in my book, Retuning to the Beginning, or a photo exhibit, "Wounds that Bind: Four Countries after the American War in Viet Nam," might help. The idea is to bring a part of my experience in Viet Nam to you, and share the experiences of South Koreans, Australians, Vietnamese, and other Americans. We all suffered, and each of us has to find our own way to heal. I hope sharing some of what I've experienced might help. I feel many American veterans would have a similar change of emotional heart if they could visit Viet Nam, difficult as the concept might be. During my travels throughout Viet Nam, starting in 1989, I have never once encountered a negative reaction from a Vietnamese. In fact, when they find out I am an American war veteran, they often go out of their way to help. Many want to know where I come from, about my life, and how I like their country. College and high school kids will bug me (and you) for help with their English papers (due tomorrow) and improve their language skills by "introducing" themselves. After all, English is the international language of business. Aren't you lucky!? The Vietnamese are proud of what they've done, in spite of our contentious 20 year embargo. Viet Nam has a strong capitalistic entrepreneurial spirit operating within a socialist government. It's a changing society. If I can help, that's what I'm here for. Spelling Viet Nam might be a first step. The next step...up to you. Thank you for visiting and reading. Safe journey. |
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